Cruising the Gulf

29 July

We only over-nighted in King Ash.

There were some pretty blue flowers in the nearby dry gullies,

in fact there have been quite a few beautiful blossoms out along the way

After a late departure from King Ash Bay and the exploration of Batten Point and the Bing Bong McArthur River port mine loading facility we headed back into Borroloola for internet access and shopping, to stock up on a few supplies.

Was going to buy a phone card as a lot of the out of the way places with no 3G or GSM signal had phone boxes that only took phone card but the only place that sold the cards was the Post Office which had a notice on it saying “Closed until Friday, no computer”

Time got away with us which meant we didn’t actually leave Borroloola for Lorella Springs 165 kms away, until 5pm. Slow going along a dusty rough road in failing light, so we didn’t reach Lorella until after 7:30. We still managed to set up camp and cook dinner in good time but didn’t get to appreciate the real beauty of the place until the next morning.

30 July

What a gem of a place, full of surprises. See for yourself at www.lorellasprings.com. We set off for a drive to explore the countryside but came to grief in one of the creek crossings

digging out got us on our way again. Lunched in the beautiful clear Emerald Pool where the fish nibbled at our legs, and walked to the nearby Wildfire Gorge then back to camp for a dip in the hot spring.

Few drinks up at the bar at Happy Hour then a walk up to the top of the hill to watch the sunset.